KEYSHAWN MORSILLO
Westinghouse
The past week: Morsillo passed for 248 yards and ran for 99 more, scoring four rushing touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ come-from-behind 35-34 win vs. Windber in the Class 2A District 5-8 subregional championship on Friday. Westinghouse (10-1) became the first City League team since University Prep in 2012 to win a PIAA subregional championship, advancing to face Farrell (9-0) in the first round of the PIAA Class 2A tournament.
Check this out: A 6-foot-3, 185-pound junior, Morsillo has passed for 1,092 yards and 10 touchdowns to go with 373 rushing yards and 15 scores on the ground. Morsillo has a record of 17-1 in two years as a starter.
How were you able to rebound as a team after losing the City League championship vs. Allderdice to pull off the upset against Windber? A lot of people didn’t expect us to win that game. We lost the City championship, so we already had targets on our back just from that. ... I couldn’t let my seniors down. I had to get my seniors at least one championship before we left.
Where did that win vs. Windber rank among the best wins of your career? I feel like that was my best game ever, and that was our best game ever. We were down the whole game except for the first quarter. The offense was clicking and scoring fast. I was trying to tell the defense to just get one stop so we can take the lead, and we did that. And after that, we capitalized off that. Windber, I definitely didn’t expect them to do that to us. They were a pretty good team.
Do you and the other City League players get along well and sometimes even root for each other in the regional or state playoffs? People at Allderdice played with me in little league for the Garfield Gators. [Allderdice quarterback] Jaerone Parker, that’s also my cousin. I played against him my whole life. It’s fun. We’ve all got a good relationship. At the end of the day, it’s all about football. After football, we’re tight, we’re close. That’s just how we grew up. We’re family. But on the field, you’re an opponent.
What’s one thing someone would be surprised to know about you? I can dress really well. I’m into fashion.
Where did you get your fashion sense? It came from my mom. She loves fashion, and I just feel like I’m just like her. That’s who I live with. I’m just like my mom, inside and out. It comes straight from her.
— By Steve Rotstein
SYDNEI JONES
North Catholic
The past week: North Catholic won its second consecutive WPIAL Class 2A girls volleyball title Nov. 6 at Robert Morris University and Jones was the setter on both teams. The Trojans also posted PIAA tournament wins against Corry and Bedford last week. Her season totals prior to Tuesday’s semifinal match against Philipsburg-Osceola were: 39 aces, 74 kills, 542 assists, 42 blocks and 150 digs.
Check this out: Jones, a 5-8 junior setter, comes from a family of athletes. Her father Blaine Jones Jr. played soccer at Moon High School and Howard University. Her mother Shannyn played volleyball at Howard University. Her brother Blaine III is a senior volleyball player at South Fayette, who recently committed to Penn State. Her sister Madisyn is a freshman volleyball player at South Fayette. Sydnei Jones was recently recognized on the first team of the WPIAL Class 2A all-star team for the second consecutive year and was named to the PVCA all-state team in 2020.
When did you start playing sports? I started playing soccer at age 3 and volleyball at age 5. I was a soccer kid until three years ago. I was actually on the Junior National soccer team twice and had Division I schools showing interest. It became obvious that I couldn’t play both sports at the same time. It was a really hard decision, but I finally decided that volleyball is where my heart is, so I quit soccer to concentrate on volleyball.
Tell us about winning a second WPIAL title. When I was a freshman, I couldn’t even dream of winning a WPIAL title. Now I have two under my belt and have a chance to make it three titles next year. It’s amazing. Winning a WPIAL title is so big.
Tell us about picking Howard University to continue your academic and athletic career. I had other offers from Division I schools, but I’ve always wanted to play at Howard. I accepted as soon as they made the offer. My brother and I committed the same day.
Is there a volleyball player that you admire or idolize? If I could have an idol it would be (former Penn State and Olympic setter) Micha Hancock. I fell in love with her hands. She is so much fun to watch.
You recorded nine kills in the WPIAL title match on setter dumps. Did you learn that from watching Micha Hancock? I watched her in the Big Ten Conference and in the Olympics and she is a master of the setter dump. She can take over a game. She has been my inspiration.
What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you? Our family has a vacation home in Las Vegas and it was renovated on HGTV.
— By Ken Wunderley
First Published: November 17, 2021, 10:15 a.m.
Updated: November 17, 2021, 10:47 a.m.